For patients in South Africa

Upper and lower eyelid surgery in Turkey from South Africa

Upper and lower eyelid surgery, a combined blepharoplasty, treats the whole eye area in one operation: excess skin is removed from the upper lids, and fat under the eyes is removed or repositioned so that bags and puffiness are reduced. For South African patients the surgery is the same as for anyone else; what needs planning is the swollen first week, the checks before you leave and the long flight home.

Why treat both lids together?

Heaviness above the eye and bags below it often appear together. A combined operation treats both with one recovery period, which matters when every trip means a long-haul flight.

• Upper lids — excess, hooded or drooping skin is removed and the tissues tightened
• Lower lids — under-eye bags and puffiness are treated by removing or repositioning fat, with skin tightening where needed

If only one area needs work, the surgeon will say so. See the separate guides to upper eyelid surgery and eye bag removal, the eyelid surgery overview, and the upper and lower eyelid surgery treatment page.

Who it suits

• People with drooping upper lids, under-eye bags or loose skin around the eyes
• People whose eyes look tired or heavy even when they are rested
• People in good general health with realistic expectations
• Non-smokers, or people able to stop before surgery

Suitability is confirmed after a medical assessment of your health, eyelid anatomy and goals; if a combined operation is not right for you, you will be told.

How long to stay, and the flight home

You arrive, have health checks and blood tests, and meet your surgeon face to face before the operation. Afterwards you recover at Mandarin Grove near İzmir, with nursing support, dressing changes and check-ups. For the first few days you rest with your head raised, and cold compresses may be used to ease swelling. Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, subject to the surgeon’s approval.

• Plan for the possibility that the surgeon asks you to stay a little longer before a ten-hour flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town
• Ask what to use for dry or irritated eyes on the plane, as cabin air is dry
• Sunglasses help with bruising and bright light on the journey
• Tell us at the start about any eye conditions, previous eye surgery, or blood-thinning medicines

Recovery at home

Swelling and bruising improve over the first two weeks, and most patients are back at work and daily life within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise waits until the surgeon clears you. Remaining swelling settles and scars fade over three to six months, when the final result shows.

Common early effects include swelling, bruising, temporary dry eyes and blurred vision. Other risks include asymmetry and slow wound healing, and, more rarely, bleeding, infection, a change in eyelid position or the need for revision surgery. Follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call with the same team; Turkey is only one hour ahead of South Africa. Complications and clinically necessary revisions within a year are covered by our treatment guarantee; flights and accommodation for any further treatment remain your own responsibility. Keep your GP informed, and ask us before you book how follow-up would work where you live.

What decides the cost

Cost depends on the work needed on each lid, any combined procedures and your length of stay. You receive an individual written plan first.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a surgeon has reviewed you, we will not promise a particular result, and we will not operate if your health makes it unsafe. A long journey is not a reason to add more procedures to one operation than the surgeon judges safe. You can read the clinic facts and our complaints process before you decide.

For other options around the eyes and face, see the face surgery guide for South African patients.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have upper and lower eyelid surgery in one operation?

Yes. Both lids can usually be treated in one operation, which typically takes around 45 to 90 minutes. The surgeon confirms whether a combined operation suits you after assessing your eyes.

How long after eyelid surgery can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, but the surgeon decides. Because the flight home takes around ten hours, book a return ticket you can change.

When can I go back to work after eyelid surgery?

Most patients return to work and normal daily activities within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise should wait until the surgeon clears you.

Will I have scars after eyelid surgery?

Incisions fade gradually over the months after surgery. The final result, including how the incision lines look, usually shows at three to six months.

Will my medical aid cover eyelid surgery?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic eyelid surgery, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned surgery abroad. Ask both specifically before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.